Sutureless adhesion system

ABSTRACT

A sutureless chest tube adhesion assembly configured to quickly and easily anchor a chest tube is described. The assembly generally comprises a notched flexible substrate adapted to adhere to human skin  415 . A chest tube incision in a notched region of the substrate provides an entry point for the chest tube which is anchored to the substrate by way of an intermediate flexible membrane that covers and adheres to the chest tube and substrate. The intermediate flexible membrane has a matching notched region adapted to accommodate the chest tube. The chest tube and incision are adapted to be covered by a transparent cover sheet which covers and adheres to a portion of the substrate, the intermediate flexible membrane and to a portion of the human skin  415.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This continuation application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/682,239 entitled:Sutureless Adhesion System, filed on Nov. 13, 2019, which claimspriority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional Patent Application No.62/760,720 entitled: Sutureless Adhesion System, filed on Nov. 13, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments are directed to a chest tube anchoring system.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The lungs are surrounded by a pleural sac made up of two membranes, thevisceral and parietal pleurae. The parietal pleura lines the thoracicwall, and the visceral pleura surrounds the lung. The pleural space is apotential space between these two layers of pleurae. It contains a thinlayer of serous pleural fluid that provides lubrication for the pleuraeand allows the layers of pleurae to smoothly slide over each otherduring respiration. In abnormal circumstances the pleural space can fillwith air and certain types of fluids not normally present requiringdrainage.

In the industrialized world, trauma is the leading cause of death inmales under the age of forty. In the United States, chest injuries areresponsible for one-fourth of all trauma deaths. Many of thesefatalities could be prevented by early recognition of the injuryfollowed by prompt management. Some traumatic chest injuries requirequick placement of chest tubes to drain out air and/or fluids (such asblood) from the chest cavity.

Several techniques are currently used to insert a chest tube, each ofwhich involves a relatively lengthy manual procedure that requiresknowledge and experience. The most common technique involves surgicalpreparation and draping at the site of the tube insertion (usually atthe nipple level-fifth intercostal space, anterior to the mid-axillaryline on the affected side), administering local anesthesia to theinsertion site, and making a 2-4 cm vertical incision. A clamp isinserted through the incision and spread tearing muscle and tissue untila tract large enough to accept a finger is created. Next, the parietalpleura is punctured. One way is with the tip of a clamp, and thephysician, on occasion, places a gloved finger into the incision toconfirm the presence of a free pleural space locally. Next, the proximalend of the chest tube 145 is advanced through the incision into thepleural space. As the chest tube is inserted, it is sometimes directedposteriorly and superiorly towards the apex of the lung or elsewhere inthe chest cavity. The goal is for the chest tube to drain the pleuralspace of both air and/or fluids such as blood. Accordingly, once thechest tube is appropriately in place to clear air and/or fluids (such asblood, infection, a transudate) from the pleural space, the tube isfixated to the skin 415 by with sutures around the tube anchoring thetube to the skin 415, dressing is applied, and the tube covered with asterile dressing.

Insertion of a chest tube using this standard technique can require morethan 15 minutes to accomplish by a physician, requires extensive medicaltraining to be performed properly and can be extremely painful as it isa difficult area to anesthetize due to the intercostal nerve that runson the bottom of every rib. Further, while performing the procedure, thephysician must attend to the patient receiving the chest tube and thusis precluded from attending to other patients.

FIG. 1A depicts a prior art chest tube insertion gun 100 described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,811,293. This chest tube insertion gun 100 includes ahousing 105, a handle 110 with the trigger 125, a probe tip 130 having acircular cutting tip 135 at the distal end thereof, a circularcross-sectioned cannula 140, a circular cross sectioned chest tube 145.The circular cutting tip 135 rotates outside of the distal end up to a90° angle of rotation (rotation angle) from its neutral position beforerotating back to its neutral position. The circular cutting tip 135 isalso able to rotate a small negative angle from its neutral position inorder to retract inside of the distal end of the probe tip 130. Therotation angle works well for the circular cross-sectioned cannula 140.

FIG. 1B illustratively depicts a top view of another prior art actuatorscalpel 200 next to a prior art cannula 140. The cannula 140 is a lineartube that is arranged to slide over the probe tip 208 and cover theprobe shaft 206 via a base opening and platform 102 and a distal endopening 104. In practice, with the cannula 140 slid over the probe shaft206, which essentially covers the probe 206, the actuator scalpel 200 ismade to cut a pathway into the chest cavity of the patient whereby thecannula 140 is slid off of the probe tip 208 and thereby deployed intothe chest of a patient. Accordingly, the probe 206 serves as a chesttube deployment shaft. The cannula 140 provides a pathway to feed achest tube 145 into the chest cavity of the patient. The cannula 140 istypically removed by pulling over the chest tube 145 while the chesttube 145 is held in place by an operator. The chest tube is then suturedin place.

FIG. 2A is a prior art drain guard system from Copenhagen MedLab, ofCopenhagen Denmark comprising a foam support 262 that goes over a basesubstrate/carrier 260. The foam support 262 is designed to position adrain line 266 at around 90° over an incision, as shown. A tube-linehole 264 also possesses a slit 265 that wraps around the drain line 266at the incision point. An anchor bandage 268 holds everything in place.The problem with this system is that it is cumbersome with too manyparts that need to be positioned just right. In an emergency situation,the system is considered to be problematic.

FIG. 2B is a prior art bandage system that wraps around and incisionproduced by Centurion Medical Products of Williamston, Mich. Thisbandage system provides three layers that essentially surrounds anincision. This bandage system possesses a mechanical anchor 270integrated with an adhesive pad 276 that holds the tube 272 in placewith a clip 274. A second bandage 278 forms an unobstructed openingaround the incision with the adhesive pad 276. The problem with thisbandage system is that it is cumbersome with too many parts that notonly needs to be positioned just right, the incision is not intended tobe covered because it would obstruct the clip 274. In an emergencysituation, the system is considered to be problematic.

It is to innovations related to this subject matter that the claimedinvention is generally directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments are generally directed to a chest tube anchoringsystem with applications in a chest tube insertion device.

Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate a SuturelessAdhesion System comprising: a flexible substrate defined by a bottomsubstrate surface, a top substrate surface and a substrate periphery,the substrate periphery comprising a substrate notch with a substratebutting edge sized to accommodate a chest tube diameter defined by achest tube, the substrate notch defined by a notch length and notchwidth greater than the chest tube diameter, the notch configured toaccommodate an incision in human skin 415 through which the chest tubeis adapted to penetrate; an intermediate flexible membrane defined by abottom membrane surface, a top membrane surface and a membraneperiphery, the bottom membrane surface configured to cover a portion ofthe flexible substrate, the notch, and the chest tube when in theincision; a flexible cover sheet defined by a bottom sheet surface, atop sheet surface and a sheet periphery, the bottom sheet surfaceadapted to cover a portion of the top substrate surface within thesubstrate periphery and the bottom sheet surface adapted to cover atleast a portion of the top membrane surface; adhesive covering at leasta portion of only the bottom substrate surface, the bottom membranesurface, and the bottom sheet surface, the flexible substrate adapted toadhere to human skin 415.

Yet other certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate aSutureless Adhesion System comprising: a flexible substrate defined by abottom substrate surface, a top substrate surface and a substrateperiphery, the substrate periphery comprising a substrate notch with asubstrate butting edge sized to accommodate a chest tube diameterdefined by a chest tube, the substrate notch defined by a notch lengthand notch width greater than the chest tube diameter, the notchconfigured to accommodate an incision in human skin 415 through whichthe chest tube is adapted to penetrate; an intermediate flexiblemembrane defined by a bottom membrane surface, a top membrane surfaceand a membrane periphery, the bottom membrane surface configured tocover a portion of the flexible substrate, the notch, and the chest tubewhen in the incision; a flexible cover sheet defined by a bottom sheetsurface, a top sheet surface and a sheet periphery, the bottom sheetsurface adapted to cover a portion of the top substrate surface withinthe substrate periphery and the bottom sheet surface adapted to cover atleast a portion of the top membrane surface; adhesive covering at leasta portion of only the bottom substrate surface, the bottom membranesurface, and the bottom sheet surface, the flexible substrate adapted toadhere to human skin 415.

While other certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate amethod for stabilizing a chest tube, the method comprising: providing aflexible substrate defined by a bottom substrate surface, a topsubstrate surface and a substrate periphery, the flexible substratepossessing a substrate U-shaped notch, substrate adhesive disposed onthe bottom substrate surface; adhering the flexible substrate via thesubstrate adhesive to human skin 415, the substrate U-shaped notchproviding unobstructed access to an incision into a human chest wall inthe human skin 415; placing the chest tube on the top substrate surfacewhen one end of the chest tube is disposed in the human chest via theincision; securing the chest tube to the top substrate surface with anintermediate flexible membrane by way of a bottom membrane surfacecomprising membrane adhesive, the membrane adhesive is not on a topmembrane surface, the intermediate flexible membrane possessing amembrane U-shaped notch that does not cover any portion of the chesttube, the intermediate flexible membrane does not extend beyond thesubstrate periphery; covering a portion of a top membrane surface of theintermediate flexible membrane, the substrate U-shaped notch and aportion of the human skin 415 with a bottom side of a flexible coversheet, the bottom side of the flexible cover sheet comprising coversheet adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a line drawing that illustratively depicts a prior art chesttube insertion gun;

FIG. 1B is a line drawing that illustratively depicts a top view of theprior art actuator scalpel next to a prior art cannula;

FIG. 2A illustratively depicts a perspective drawing of a prior artdrain guard;

FIG. 2B illustratively depicts a prior art bandage system that wrapsaround and incision;

FIG. 3A is a line drawing that illustratively depicts a SuturelessAdhesion System consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustratively depicts an exploded view line drawing of aSutureless Adhesion System revealing the top surface and the bottomsurface consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3C and 3D illustratively depicts line drawings defining geometriesof the flexible substrate and the intermediate flexible membraneconsistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a line drawing that illustratively depicts a typical locationwhere an embodiment of the chest tube can be deployed;

FIG. 4B is a line drawing that illustratively depicts one embodiment ofa chest tube being inserted between ribs of a patient/subject consistentwith embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a line drawing that illustratively depicts drawings showingthe general layout and position of the Sutureless Adhesion System withthe chest tube in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;and

FIGS. 6A-6D are line drawings that illustratively depict a method forstabilizing a chest tube consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Initially, this disclosure is by way of example only, not by limitation.Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for theconvenience of explanation, shown and described with respect toexemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the principles hereinmay be applied equally in other types of situations involving similaruses of a sutureless attachment for tubes that are deployed in a humanbody. In what follows, similar or identical structures may be identifiedusing identical callouts.

Described herein are embodiments of a sutureless chest tube attachmentassembly configured to quickly and easily anchor a chest tube. Certainexamples of the assembly generally comprises a notched flexiblesubstrate adapted to adhere to human skin 415. A chest tube incision ina notched region of the substrate provides an entry point for the chesttube which is anchored to the substrate by way of an intermediateflexible membrane that covers and adheres to the chest tube andsubstrate. Some embodiments describe an intermediate flexible membranehas a matching notched region adapted to accommodate the chest tube. Thechest tube and incision are adapted to be covered by a transparent coversheet which covers and adheres to a portion of the substrate, theintermediate flexible membrane and to a portion of the human skin 415.

FIG. 3A illustratively depicts a line drawing of a Sutureless AdhesionSystem consistent with embodiments of the present invention. As shown,the present Sutureless Adhesion System 300 is generally comprised of aflexible substrate 302 that is adapted and arranged to adhere to aperson's skin 415, an intermediate flexible membrane 304 adapted andarranged to adhere to the top surface of the flexible substrate 302, anda clear flexible coversheet 306 adapted to cover the notch regions 305and 310. In this embodiment, the membrane notch 310 is sized toessentially frame the substrate notch 305 and the flexible substrate 302is sized to essentially frame the intermediate flexible membrane 304.For example, membrane notch 310 partially surrounds the substrate notch305 without overlapping the substrate notch periphery (see the dashedperiphery 335 in the notch region 305, shown in FIG. 3C). Likewise, inthe present embodiment, the flexible substrate 302 frames theintermediate flexible membrane 304 because the membrane periphery 355follows the shape of the substrate periphery 335 without overlapping thesubstrate periphery 335. Accordingly, by framing, it is meant that oneoverlaying element may follow (either identically or sort of) the shapeof the overlayed element without overlapping peripheries.

FIG. 3B illustratively depicts an exploded view line drawing of aSutureless Adhesion System 300 revealing the top surface 320 and thebottom surface 322 consistent with embodiments of the present invention.The flexible coversheet 306 (which is depicted as opaque in this view tohelp with the explanation) defines a top sheet surface 314 that incertain embodiments is devoid of any adhesive and a bottom sheet surface312 that possesses adhesive. Certain embodiments envision the bottomsheet surface 312 being fully covered with adhesive while otherembodiments envision the bottom sheet surface 312 being partly coveredwith adhesive. The intermediate flexible membrane 304 defines a topmembrane surface 318 that in certain embodiments is devoid of anyadhesive whatsoever and a bottom membrane surface 316 that possessesadhesive whereby certain embodiments envision adhesive entirely coveringthe bottom membrane surface 316. The flexible substrate 302 defines atop substrate surface 320 that in certain embodiments is devoid of anyadhesive whatsoever and the bottom substrate surface 322, i.e., the skinadhering surface 322, that possesses adhesive which in certainembodiments is envision to be completely covered in adhesive, while inother embodiments does not completely cover the skin adhering surface322. Certain embodiments envision that the adhesive on the bottomcoversheet surface 312 is different than the adhesive on the bottommembrane surface 316 which is different than the bottom substratesurface 322 while other embodiments envision the adhesive all being thesame. Certain other embodiments contemplate the adhesive on two of thethree bottom surfaces being the same while one is different.

FIGS. 3C and 3D illustratively depicts line drawings defining geometriesof the flexible substrate 302 and the intermediate flexible membrane 304consistent with embodiments of the present invention. With reference tothe flexible substrate 302 of FIG. 3C, the dashed line defines thesubstrate periphery 335, which is essentially trapezoid-shaped in thepresent embodiment. Certain other embodiments envision a square,rectangle or some other shape within the scope and spirit of the presentinvention. The two parallel sides of the trapezoid define the front side342 and the back side 340 which also define the length 336 of theflexible substrate 302. The nonparallel sides 344 and 346 define thewidth 334 of the flexible substrate 302 in any given location along thenonparallel sides 344 and 346. In the present embodiments, the corners338 are rounded, however other embodiments envision no such limitation.The front side 342 possesses a U-shaped substrate notch 305 with asubstrate butting-edge 331 that is sized to accommodate the diameter ofa chest tube (generally between 6.7 and 13.3 mm for adults, designatedas a 20. Fr to 40. Fr (Fr for French catheter scale) in contrast to6-26. Fr for children). Certain embodiments envision the substrate notch305 being channel shaped or something other than U-shaped withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention. TheU-shaped substrate notch 305 is defined by a notch length 332 and anotch width 330 which are both greater than the diameter of a selectedchest tube. Certain embodiments envision that the notch length 332 andthe notch width 330 have a standard size to accommodate a 40. Frcatheter tube or some other sized catheter tube. As will be discussedlater, the U-shaped substrate notch 305 is adapted to accommodate anincision in human skin 415 through which the chest tube (not shown) isadapted to penetrate.

Likewise, with reference to the intermediate flexible membrane 304 ofFIG. 3D, the dashed line defines the membrane periphery 355, which isessentially trapezoid-shaped in the present embodiment. As with thesubstrate, other embodiments envision a square, rectangle or some othershape within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The twoparallel sides of the trapezoid are defined as the front side 362 in theback side 360 which further define the length 356 of the intermediatemembrane 304. The nonparallel sides 364 and 366 define the width 364 ofthe intermediate membrane 304 in any given location along thenonparallel sides 364 and 366. In the present embodiments, the corners358 are rounded however other embodiments envision no such limitation.The front side 362 possesses a U-shaped membrane notch 310 that islarger in length 352 and width 350 than the U-shaped substrate notch305. As with the substrate notch 305, certain embodiments envision themembrane notch 310 being channel shaped or something other than U-shapedwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Certain other embodiments envision the membrane notch 310 beingessentially the same size (notch length and width) as the substratenotch 305. Certain embodiments envision the intermediate membraneperiphery 355 fitting inside of the flexible substrate periphery 335,while other embodiments envision the intermediate membrane periphery 355in the flexible substrate periphery 335 essentially being the same sizeor some other different size.

FIG. 4A illustratively depicts a typical location where an embodiment ofthe chest tube 400 can be deployed. As shown, the patient/subject 410 ismarked with a dashed-X to better see the incision 401 pointing to atypical location at the fifth rib (under the armpit) where a chest tube400 (or cannula) can be deployed. It is well known in the art that anentry point to the chest cavity 403 can be elsewhere depending on theissue at hand. The dashed-X and incision 401 in the cross point residessoundly in an optimal location to access the internal locations of thechest cavity 403 wherein fluid/air buildup can occur due to trauma, forexample. FIG. 4B illustratively depicts one embodiment of a chest tubebeing inserted between ribs of a patient/subject consistent withembodiments of the present invention. Here, an incision 401 is made viaa scalpel (such as a hand held scalpel or actuator scalpel 200 (notshown in this figure) in the intercostal muscles 405 between an upperrib 406 and a lower rib 408. Certain embodiments envision the chest tube400 being oval in cross-section in order to fit more effectively betweenthe ribs 406 and 408 while providing greater volume of liquid/air todrain out from buildup in the chest cavity 403. The intercostal artery412 and the intercostal vein 411 are shown for reference. In practiceeither at the chest tube 400 is inserted directly into the incision 401along the dashed arrow 402. Optionally, with reference to FIGS. 1A and1B, a cannula 140 can be disposed over the probe shaft 206 so that theprobe tip 208 is unobstructed for the scalpel blade to make the incision401. The scalpel blade is not shown. Once the incision 401 is made, theprobe tip 208 and probe shaft 206 are pressed into the chest cavity 403up to the platform 102. The actuator scalpel 200 is then pulled out byone of the operator's/surgeon's hand while the otheroperator's/surgeon's hand holds the cannula 200 in place via theplatform 102. Once deployed, the platform 102 can cover the incision 401in order to seal the incision 401. In the present embodiment, theplatform 102 can be covered and held in place with the SuturelessAdhesion System 300, or other embodiment of the Sutureless AdhesionSystem, whereby the cannula 140 can serve as a makeshift chest tube.Optionally, and conventionally, the chest tube 145 is fed through thecannula 140 into the chest cavity 403.

FIG. 5 illustratively depicts drawings showing the general layout andposition of the Sutureless Adhesion System 300 with the chest tube 400in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In certaincommercial embodiments of the present invention, the flexible substrate302 can be a closed-cell foam, such as a 1773 white closed-cell foamwith an adhesive backing manufactured by 3M Corporation of St. Paul,Minn., rated for long-term contact with human skin 415. The flexiblesubstrate 302 provides a cushioning layer to improve comfort when thechest tube 400 is pressed against the flexible substrate 302. As shownin this embodiment, there is nothing between the chest tube 400 and theflexible substrate 302. The diameter 441 of the chest tube 400 is shownhere for reference. The intermediate flexible membrane 304 can be a 3M4076 white nonwoven adhesive backed flexible layer. The intermediateflexible membrane 304 is specifically adapted to hold/retain the chesttube 400 essentially fixedly in place. Based on a 36 Fr catheter tube,the area of the intermediate flexible membrane 304 needs to be between30 in² and 60 in² in order to provide retention of the chest tubecomparable to being sutured in place. Based on a 14. Fr catheter tube,the area of the intermediate flexible membrane 304 needs to beapproximately 20 in². Based on a 40 Fr catheter tube, the area of theintermediate flexible membrane 304 needs to be approximately 60 cm². Asshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a more thorough ordifferent analysis may yield different numbers. The present use ofadhesive bonding the intermediate flexible membrane 304 to the flexiblesubstrate 302 improves times, reduces pain to a patient, increasesconsistency in tube 400 retention, just to name several advantages.Lastly, the clear flexible coversheet 306 can be a clear 3M Tegadermadhesive backed membrane that protects the incision site while allowingmedical personnel to effortlessly inspect incision 401. Moreover, theclear flexible coversheet 306 protects the incision external element,while somewhat sealing the incision site 401 from leaking bodily fluidstherefrom. The flexible coversheet 306, which in certain embodiments isnot clear, can cover both a portion of the flexible substrate 302 and aportion of the intermediate flexible membrane 304 as well as the skin415 and the incision 401 as shown in FIG. 6D. As shown, the flexiblecoversheet periphery 319 is partially on the flexible substrate 302 andthe intermediate flexible membrane 304.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustratively depict a method for stabilizing a chest tubeconsistent with embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG.6A, the flexible substrate 302 is adhered to a human chest wall 403whereby an incision 401 sized for a chest tube 400 is exposed via thesubstrate U-shaped notch 305. In other words, the U-shaped notch 305frames the incision 401, whereby the incision 401 is at least partiallysurrounded by the U-shaped notch 305 without, or essentially without,covering any part of the incision 401, as shown. In certain embodimentsthe flexible substrate 302 is attached to the chest wall 403 prior tocutting the incision 401 in the space provided by the U-shaped notch305. Other embodiments contemplate the incision 401 first being made andthen the flexible substrate 302 being placed over the incision, howeveradhering the flexible substrate 302 to the chest wall 403 may becompromised due to the blood from the incision 401.

FIG. 6B illustratively depicts the chest tube 400 inserted in the chestwall 403 via the incision 401 and bent down to be in contact with thetop surface 320 of the flexible substrate 302. As shown, the substrateU-shaped notch 305 provides unobstructed access to the incision 401.Also as shown, the U-shaped notch 305 is a butting edge 331 that in someembodiments butts up against the chest tube 400 while in otherembodiments the U-shaped notch 305 is simply in close proximity but notin contact with the chest tube 400. In this embodiment, the flexiblesubstrate 302 accommodates at least the diameter of the chest tube 400but does not close around the chest tube 400 whatsoever. In other words,the notch width 330 remains greater than the chest tube diameter as theU-shaped notch 305 approaches the front side/edge 342. This provides anadded vantage of simplicity over prior art elements that close around atube.

FIG. 6C illustratively depicts adhering the intermediate flexiblemembrane 304 to the top surface 320 of the flexible substrate 302thereby retaining or otherwise locking in place the chest tube 400 inposition. The chest tube 400 is depicted with dashed lines in theportion that is covered up by the intermediate flexible membrane 304.Certain embodiments contemplate that the intermediate flexible membrane304 is sized to provide chest tube retention strength similar to thatobtained by a scenario of suturing the chest tube to the incision. Asalso depicted in the present embodiment, the intermediate membraneperiphery 355 is smaller than and remains inside of the substrateperiphery 335. Certain embodiments envision that the intermediateflexible membrane 304 is within 1 cm the same shape as the flexiblesubstrate 302. Other embodiments envision the intermediate flexiblemembrane 304 having a range between 50% the size of the flexiblesubstrate 302 up to 100% of the size of the flexible substrate 302. Thisfacilitates removal of the Sutureless Adhesion System 300 by simplypulling up on the flexible substrate 302. Certain embodiments envisionthat this could be made easier by a nonadhesive tab extending from thesubstrate periphery 335. Other embodiments envision that the substrateperiphery 335 is the same size as the intermediate membrane periphery355. Some embodiments envision the intermediate flexible membrane 304exceeding the periphery size of the flexible substrate 302 so long asthe membrane notch 310 does not eclipse or otherwise cover the substratenotch 305. While other embodiments envision the intermediate flexiblemembrane 300 and 4B integrated with the clear coversheet 306.

FIG. 6D illustratively depicts the configuration of FIG. 6C but with theclear flexible coversheet 306 covering at least a portion of the topsubstrate surface 320 and a portion of the top membrane surface 318. Asshown, the clear flexible coversheet 306 covers the incision 401 and thechest tube 400 going into the incision 401. The clear flexiblecoversheet 306 also covers a portion of the human skin 415.

With continued reference to the intermediate flexible membrane 304 beingsized to provide chest tube retention strength similar to that obtainedby a scenario of suturing the chest tube to the incision. Certainembodiments envision determining retention strength by establishing thetensile strength of the suture material (note: there are multiple typesof suture material including silk and nylon, suture sizes, and suturebrands) and not the tearing strength of the skin 415 for at least thereason that the act of putting in a suture is variable betweenoperators.

In one example, size 0 and 2-0 polyamide (nylon) sutures from EthiconInc., headquartered in Somerville, N.J. were used to establish abaseline tensile strength. Based on five samples tested, the average ofthe size 0 sutures (larger diameter) had an average breaking strength of6.99 pound-force (lbf) and the size 2-0 had an average breaking strengthof 5.43 lbf. The average combined breaking strength was 6.05 lbf with astandard deviation of approximately 0.99 lbf. From an engineering pointof view, three standard deviations should account for 99.73% of thedata. Thus, force of 9.02 lbf, of simply 9 lbf, is assumed to accountfor the majority of suture breaking forces measured for these sutureelements. Accordingly, 9 lbf serves as the example input breakingstrength for the Sutureless Adhesion System 300.

Figuring out the area of the flexible substrate 302 and the intermediateflexible member 304 is a classic calculus problem including changingforce vectors with both sheer force of the adhesive sheet and tensionforce of the adhesive sheet. Based on whatever model or iteration isused for bonding failure due to the tube being pulled upwards andorthogonal to the Sutureless Adhesion System 300 when using the 9 lbffrom above, a person skilled in the art can calculate the appropriatearea of both the flexible substrate 302 and the intermediate flexiblemembrane 304. Current calculations indicate, depending on the adhesiveused, that the area of the flexible substrate 302 should be between 10in² and 60 in². Hence, at least a membrane area (of the intermediateflexible membrane 304) is determined by the membrane separation force ofthe intermediate flexible membrane 304, which is the force that causesthe adhesion between the intermediate flexible membrane 304 to separatefrom the flexible substrate 302. This assumes that the intermediateflexible membrane 304 is smaller than the flexible substrate 302 and theadhesive strength of the intermediate flexible membrane 304 isapproximately the same as the adhesive strength of the flexiblesubstrate 302. The membrane separation force should be equal to orgreater than the traditional strength of the sutured system. Thetraditional strength of the sutured system is the force of which suturedtube is pulled out or otherwise broken from the incision.

With the present description in mind, some additional embodiments of thepresent invention are provided below within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

For example, certain embodiments envision a sutureless adhesion system300 comprising: a flexible skin adhering substrate 302 defined by a skinadhering substrate surface 322, a top substrate surface 320 and asubstrate periphery 335, the substrate periphery 335 comprising asubstrate incision framing notch 305 at a substrate butting edge 342,the substrate incision framing notch 305 sized to accommodate a chesttube diameter 441 defined by a chest tube 400, the substrate incisionframing notch 305 defined by a substrate notch length 332 and asubstrate notch width 331 greater than the chest tube diameter 441, thesubstrate incision framing notch 305 configured to frame an incision inhuman skin 415 through which the chest tube 400 is adapted to penetrate;an intermediate flexible non-skin contacting membrane 304 defined by abottom membrane surface 316, a top membrane surface 318 and a membraneperiphery 355, the bottom membrane surface 316 configured to only covera portion of the flexible substrate 302 and the chest tube 400 when inthe incision 401; a flexible cover sheet 306 defined by a bottom sheetsurface 312, a top sheet surface 314 and a sheet periphery 319, thebottom sheet surface 312 is adapted to cover a portion of the topsubstrate surface 320 and the bottom sheet surface 312 adapted to coverat least a portion of the top membrane surface 318; adhesive covering atleast a portion of the bottom substrate surface 322, the bottom membranesurface 316, and the bottom sheet surface 312, the flexible substrate322 adapted to adhere to human skin.

The sutureless adhesion system is further envisioned wherein theintermediate flexible membrane 304 further comprising a membrane notch310 that is wider than the substrate notch width 330. Certainembodiments further envision the membrane notch 310 comprises a membranenotch length 352 that is equal to or less than the substrate notchlength 332, the membrane notch 310 frames the substrate notch 305 whenthe intermediate flexible non-skin contacting membrane 304 is attachedto the flexible skin adhering substrate 302. While other embodimentsfurther envision the substrate incision framing notch 305 is located ata substrate butting edge 331, no portion of the intermediate flexiblenon-skin contacting membrane 304 covers the substrate butting edge 331.

The sutureless adhesion system is further envisioned wherein theintermediate flexible non-skin contacting membrane 304 is within 1 cm ofhaving an identical shape as the flexible skin adhering substrate 302.

The sutureless adhesion system is further envisioned wherein theflexible cover sheet 306 is adapted to constrain the chest tube 400 inplace when covering the top membrane surface 318 when the chest tube 400is in the incision 401.

The sutureless adhesion system is further envisioned wherein theSutureless Adhesion System 300 consists of the flexible substrate 302,the intermediate flexible membrane 304 and the flexible cover sheet 306.

The sutureless adhesion system is further envisioned wherein thesubstrate periphery 335 is essentially a trapezoidal shape is defined bytwo parallel sides, a longer of the two parallel sides defines a buttingedge.

The sutureless adhesion system is further envisioned wherein theflexible substrate is at least 2.5 inches in length and 2.5 inches inwidth.

The sutureless adhesion system is further envisioned wherein theflexible skin adhering substrate 302 possesses adhesive-1, theintermediate flexible non-skin contacting membrane 304 possessesadhesive-2 and the flexible cover sheet 306 possesses adhesive-3, theadhesive-1, the adhesive-2 and the adhesive-3 are not identicaladhesive.

Certain other embodiments envision a method for stabilizing a chest tube400, the method comprising: providing a flexible substrate 302 definedby a bottom substrate surface 322, a top substrate surface 320 and asubstrate periphery 335, the flexible substrate 302 possessing asubstrate U-shaped notch 305, substrate adhesive disposed on the bottomsubstrate surface 322; adhering the flexible substrate 302 via thesubstrate adhesive to human skin 415, the substrate U-shaped notch 305providing unobstructed access to an incision 401 into a human chest wall403 in the human skin 415 by framing the incision 401; placing the chesttube 400 on the top substrate surface 320 when one end of the chest tube400 is disposed in the human chest 403 via the incision 401; securingthe chest tube 400 to the top substrate surface 320 with an intermediateflexible membrane 304 by way of an adhesive covered bottom membranesurface 316, the membrane adhesive is not on a top membrane surface 318,the intermediate flexible membrane 304 possessing a membrane U-shapednotch 310 that frames the substrate U-shaped notch 305, the intermediateflexible membrane 304 does not extend beyond the substrate periphery335; covering a portion of a top membrane surface 318 of theintermediate flexible membrane 304, the substrate U-shaped notch 310 anda portion of the human skin 315 with a bottom sheet side 312 of aflexible cover sheet 360, the bottom sheet side 312 comprising coversheet adhesive.

The method for stabilizing a chest tube 400 is further envisioned withno elements other than the flexible substrate 302, the chest tube 400,the intermediate flexible membrane 304 and the cover sheet 306 are usedin the method.

The method for stabilizing a chest tube 400 is further envisionedwherein there is nothing between the chest tube 400 and the flexiblesubstrate 302.

The method for stabilizing a chest tube 400 is further envisionedwherein the membrane U-shaped notch 310 is wider than the substrateU-shaped notch 305.

The method for stabilizing a chest tube 400 is further envisionedwherein the intermediate flexible membrane 304 is between 50% and 100%the size of the flexible substrate 302.

The method for stabilizing a chest tube 400 is further envisionedwherein a membrane area of the intermediate flexible membrane 304 isproportional to a membrane separation force of the intermediate membrane304, the membrane separation force is equivalent to a suture strengthforce required to pull the chest tube 400 from the human skin 415 whensutured thereto.

Yet other certain other embodiments envision a method for fixing a chesttube by providing a flexible substrate pad 302 possessing a substrateU-shaped notch 305 located at a substrate pad edge 342; positioning thesubstrate U-shaped notch 305 over an incision 401 in a human chest 403;adhering the flexible substrate pad 302 to human skin 415, the substrateU-shaped notch 305 unobstructedly (without obstructing) framing theincision 401; inserting the chest tube 400 in the incision 401; securingthe chest tube 400 to the substrate pad 302 with an adhesive coveredintermediate flexible membrane 304, nothing is between the chest tube400 and the flexible substrate pad 302 when secured (nothing other thanempty space/air), the flexible membrane 304 does not extend onto thehuman skin 415 or over any portion of the substrate pad edge 335; andcovering a portion of the intermediate flexible membrane 304 over thesubstrate U-shaped notch 305 and a portion of the human skin 415 with anadhesive coated flexible cover sheet 306.

The method of method for fixing a chest tube is further envisionedwherein the intermediate flexible membrane 304 possesses a membraneU-shaped notch 310 that frames the substrate U-shaped notch 305.

The method of method for fixing a chest tube is further envisionedwherein there are no other elements other than the chest tube 400between the flexible substrate pad 302 and the flexible cover sheet 304.

While still other certain embodiments envision a sutureless adhesionapparatus 300 comprising: a flexible skin adhering substrate 302 definedby a skin adhering substrate surface 322, a top substrate surface 320and a substrate periphery 335, the substrate periphery 335 comprising asubstrate incision framing notch 305 at a substrate butting edge 342,the substrate incision framing notch 305 unobstructely frames anincision 401 that is capable of being made in human skin 415, a chesttube 400 extending from the incision 401; an intermediate flexiblenon-skin contacting membrane 304 defined by a bottom membrane surface316 with adhesive, a top membrane surface 318 and a membrane periphery355, the bottom membrane surface 316 adhered to and covering nothingother than a portion of the flexible substrate 302 and a portion of thechest tube 400; a flexible cover sheet 306 defined by a bottom sheetsurface 312, a top sheet surface 314 and a sheet periphery 319, theflexible cover sheet 306 adhered at least a portion of the top substratesurface 320 and at least a portion of the top membrane surface 318, theskin adhering substrate surface 322 and a portion of the bottom sheetsurface 312 configured to adhere to human skin 415.

The sutureless adhesion apparatus is further envisioned wherein theapparatus between the flexible skin adhering substrate 302 and theflexible cover sheet 406 consists of the chest tube 400 and theintermediate flexible non-skin contacting membrane 304.

The sutureless adhesion apparatus is further envisioned wherein themembrane U-shaped notch 310 is wider than the substrate U-shaped notch305.

The sutureless adhesion apparatus is further envisioned wherein theintermediate flexible membrane 304 is between 50% and 100% the size ofthe flexible substrate 302.

The sutureless adhesion apparatus is further envisioned wherein amembrane area of the intermediate flexible membrane 304 is proportionalto a membrane separation force, which is equivalent to a suture strengthforce required to pull the chest tube 400 from the human skin 415 whensutured thereto.

The above embodiments are not intended to be limiting to the scope ofthe invention whatsoever because as a skilled artisan will recognize,there are many more embodiments easily conceived within the teachingsand scope of the instant specification.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with the details of thestructure and function of various embodiments of the invention, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within theprinciples of the present invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed. For example, though a chest tube 400 is depicted is the onlyelement held in place by the Sutureless Adhesion System 300, otherelements such as the cannula 140 of FIG. 1A can be similarly usedwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Another example can include providing various other shaped flexiblesubstrates, intermediate flexible membranes and flexible cover sheetwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Though embodiments of the present invention are directed to a person andperson's skin 415, it is envisioned that the embodiments could be usedwith animals in similar situations while staying within the scope andspirit of the present invention. Yet another example includes adhesivebeing applied to only a portion of the bottom surfaces and not on theentire surfaces as exemplified in the above description. Further, theterms “one” is synonymous with “a”, which may be a first of a plurality.

It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attainthe ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein.While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposesof this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in thespirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sutureless adhesion system comprising: aflexible skin adhering substrate defined by a skin adhering substratebottom surface, a top substrate surface and a substrate periphery, thesubstrate periphery comprising a substrate incision framing notch at asubstrate butting edge, the substrate incision framing notch sized toaccommodate a tube diameter defined by a tube, the substrate incisionframing notch defined by a substrate notch length and a substrate notchwidth greater than the tube diameter, the substrate incision framingnotch configured to frame an incision in human skin through which thetube is adapted to penetrate; an intermediate flexible non-skincontacting membrane defined by a bottom membrane surface, a top membranesurface and a membrane periphery, the bottom membrane surface configuredto only cover a portion of the flexible substrate and the tube when inthe incision; a flexible cover sheet defined by a bottom sheet surface,a top sheet surface and a sheet periphery, the bottom sheet surfaceadapted to cover at least a portion of the top substrate surface and atleast a portion of the top membrane surface; adhesive covering at leasta portion of the bottom substrate surface, the bottom membrane surface,and the bottom sheet surface, the flexible substrate adapted to adhereto human skin.
 2. The sutureless adhesion system of claim 1, wherein theintermediate flexible membrane further comprising a membrane notch thatis wider than the substrate notch width.
 3. The sutureless adhesionsystem of claim 2, wherein the membrane notch comprises a membrane notchlength that is equal to or less than the substrate notch length, themembrane notch frames the substrate notch when the intermediate flexiblenon-skin contacting membrane is attached to the flexible skin adheringsubstrate.
 4. The sutureless adhesion system of claim 2, wherein thesubstrate incision framing notch is located at a substrate butting edge,no portion of the intermediate flexible non-skin contacting membranecovers the substrate butting edge.
 5. The sutureless adhesion system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediate flexible non-skin contacting membraneis within 1 cm of having an identical shape as the flexible skinadhering substrate.
 6. The sutureless adhesion system of claim 1,wherein the flexible cover sheet is adapted to constrain the tube inplace when covering the top membrane surface when the tube is in theincision.
 7. The sutureless adhesion system of claim 1, wherein theSutureless Adhesion System consists of the flexible substrate, theintermediate flexible membrane and the flexible cover sheet.
 8. Thesutureless adhesion system of claim 1, wherein the substrate peripheryis essentially a trapezoidal shape is defined by two parallel sides, alonger of the two parallel sides defines a butting edge.
 9. Thesutureless adhesion system of claim 1, wherein the flexible skinadhering substrate is at least 2.5 inches in length and 2.5 inches inwidth.
 10. The sutureless adhesion system of claim 1, wherein theflexible skin adhering substrate bottom surface possesses adhesive-1,the intermediate flexible non-skin contacting membrane possessesadhesive-2 and the flexible cover sheet possesses adhesive-3, theadhesive-1, the adhesive-2 and the adhesive-3 are not identicaladhesive.
 11. The sutureless adhesion system of claim 1 whereinintermediate flexible non-skin contacting membrane only contacts thetube and the top substrate surface of the flexible skin adheringsubstrate.
 12. A method for stabilizing a tube, the method comprising:providing a flexible substrate pad possessing a substrate U-shaped notchlocated at a substrate pad edge; positioning the substrate U-shapednotch over an incision in a human; adhering the flexible substrate padto human skin, the substrate U-shaped notch unobstructedly framing theincision; inserting the tube in the incision; securing the tube to thesubstrate pad with an adhesive covered intermediate flexible membrane,nothing is between the tube and the flexible substrate pad when secured,the flexible membrane does not extend onto the human skin or over anyportion of the substrate pad edge; and covering a portion of theintermediate flexible membrane over the substrate U-shaped notch and aportion of the human skin with an adhesive coated flexible cover sheet.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the intermediate flexible membranepossesses a membrane U-shaped notch that frames the substrate U-shapednotch.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the intermediate flexiblemembrane is between 50% and 100% the size of the flexible substrate. 15.The method of claim 12, wherein there are no other elements other thanthe tube between the flexible substrate pad and the flexible coversheet.
 16. A sutureless adhesion apparatus comprising: a flexible skinadhering substrate defined by a skin adhering substrate bottom surface,a top substrate surface and a substrate periphery, the substrateperiphery comprising a substrate incision framing notch at a substratebutting edge, the substrate incision framing notch unobstructely framesan incision that is capable of being made in human skin, a tubeextending from the incision; an intermediate flexible non-skincontacting membrane defined by a bottom membrane surface with adhesive,a top membrane surface and a membrane periphery, the bottom membranesurface adhered to and covering nothing other than a portion of theflexible substrate and a portion of the tube; a flexible cover sheetdefined by a bottom sheet surface, a top sheet surface and a sheetperiphery, the flexible cover sheet adhered at least a portion of thetop substrate surface and at least a portion of the top membranesurface, the skin adhering substrate surface and a portion of the bottomsheet surface configured to adhere to human skin.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the apparatus between the flexible skin adheringsubstrate and the flexible cover sheet consists of the tube and theintermediate flexible non-skin contacting membrane.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the membrane U-shaped notch is wider than thesubstrate U-shaped notch.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein theintermediate flexible membrane is between 50% and 100% the size of theflexible substrate.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a membranearea of the intermediate flexible membrane is proportional to a membraneseparation force of the intermediate membrane,